Arabian purebred competition bridges divisions in Libya

A horse breeding competition has brought together equestrians from across divided Libya in a rare show of unity after years of conflict.

Bay, chestnut or grey, more than 70 horses participated Friday and Saturday in the National Championship of Libyan Arabian Horses in a suburb of Libya’s capital Tripoli, in the west.

Since the overthrow and death of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi in 2011, Libya has been gripped by political turmoil that descended into armed conflict between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and a rival administration in Benghazi.

“It has been 14 years since we have seen such competitions in Tripoli,” said Ahmad Al-Amami, owner of the Al-Waha stable in Benghazi.

Winner of “Best in Show,” Amami was accompanied by six fillies and mares who won silver and gold medals in a beauty contest.

International judges, like those of the World Arabian Horse Association, were invited to evaluate the appearance of each horse.

The contest also saw Sima Othman Abubteina, 18, receiving a special prize as the first woman and youngest participant in such a competition in Libya.

She participated in the competition with 14 colts and fillies from a stud farm in Benghazi founded by her recently deceased father, who was a renowned equestrian in Libya.

“I started riding when I was four… I used to accompany my father to horse clubs to learn everything related to horses” she told AFP, her horse Amir — a gold medal winner — at her side.